[Homeostasis of peripheral blood cells during infection by the bovine leukemia virus].

One of the parameters characterizing leukemia is an increase in the peripheral blood cell numbers. As a deregulation of homeostasis, this pathological process might result from an alteration of different parameters modulating cell dynamics. In this context, we studied homeostasis during infection of sheep infected by bovine leukemia virus (BLV). In this experimental model, we demonstrated that the cell death rates are increased after BLV infection and that the spleen exerts a key role in this process. We next proposed, elaborated and tested a novel therapeutic approach based on activation of viral expression. Finally, we summarized our observations in a recapitulative model.